Editing Scottdale, Pennsylvania (section)

===1969-present: Proposed mall construction and fallout===
[[File:SCOTTDALE GAZEBO.jpg|thumb|The gazebo in downtown Scottdale, erected in 1976.]]
In 1969, Scottdale attempted an urban renewal project by building a mall. The mall was set to be located on Pittsburgh and North Broadway Streets in downtown Scottdale with a two pump gas station next-door. The development was to be equipped with several chain stores such as [[Giant Eagle]] and a Thorofare store. To prepare the site, new sidewalks, wiring and sewer lines were completed by June 1970.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1970-06-16 |title=Scottdale mall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall/150710867/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=1}}</ref>

By December 1970, the area was still not developed, with much of the businesses on the left side of Pittsburgh street being torn down to make room for the shopping plaza. Lanes of travel to access the area were left unpaved and only one lone bid had been accepted on space in the plaza, that being for the gas station that was to open next-door.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1970-12-15 |title=scottdale mall 2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall-2/150711186/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=1}}</ref> Funding for the project began to run out with Scottdale's borough council refusing to give funding until buyers for lots began to show interest. The budget for a parking lot would be approved of in December 1971.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1971-12-11 |title=Scottdale mall 3 parking lot budget. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-mall-3-parki/150711506/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=1}}</ref>

The mall continued to develop into September 1972 with one more bid being placed on space within the proposed plaza.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1972-09-26 |title=One more bid 1972 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-one-more-bid-1972/150711695/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=2}}</ref> Progress was finally made on the plaza in October 1974 when the borough signed a contract with a [[Uniontown, Pennsylvania|Uniontown]] based company to begin building on the site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1974-10-12 |title=Progress 1974 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-progress-1974/150711995/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=10}}</ref> By 1975, the mall project ceased, bringing the six year ordeal to an end.

On Saturday, May 1, 1976, the area of the former would-be mall was dedicated as a park. In the park, a [[gazebo]] was erected as well as three flagpoles. A walkway was also introduced to access the park from Pittsburgh Street.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-04-28 |title=scottdale gazebo park |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-courier-scottdale-gazebo-park/150712513/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |work=The Daily Courier |pages=16}}</ref> In the decades since the failed mall project, Scottdale has opened a Rite-Aid Pharmacy, a YMCA Pool, public library and Veteran Memorial in place of the former development.

Scottdale has also used the space annually for their Fall Festival. Since 1973, the Scottdale Fall Festival has hosted multiple outdoor vendors, music performances and an annual parade which is participated in by local businesses as well as high school groups such as the Southmoreland football team and marching band.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reese |first=Quincey |date=2023-09-14 |title=Scottdale Fall Festival to kick off 150th birthday celebrations |url=https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/scottdale-fall-festival-to-kick-off-150th-birthday-celebrations/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The Fall Festival is also where [[Southmoreland High School]]'s homecoming king and queen are crowned.

[[File:Scottdalebanner.jpg|thumb|left|Banner commemorating Scottsdale’s 150th anniversary above Pittsburgh Street.]]
In the years following the failed mall construction, Scottdale has seen an economic decline. Approximately 2,000 of its residents are employed as of 2022 with a majority being in health care or retail work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottdale, PA {{!}} Data USA |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/scottdale-pa#economy |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=datausa.io |language=en}}</ref> 14.3% of Scottdale residents are below the poverty line with a median household income of just over $53,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottdale, PA {{!}} Data USA |url=https://datausa.io/profile/geo/scottdale-pa |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=datausa.io |language=en}}</ref> The borough also has an unemployment rate of 7.4%, which is 1.4% higher than the national average.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottdale, PA Economy |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/economy/city/pennsylvania/scottdale |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=BestPlaces}}</ref>

In 2022, the former Greystone Manor, once used as a department store, was purchased. Built in 1905, the building sat abandoned for decades where it deteriorated. With the purchase, $2 million in renovations have been made to restore the building.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Dirk |date=2022-04-09 |title=Iconic Scottdale home focus of $2 million restoration |url=https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/iconic-scottdale-home-focus-of-2-million-restoration/ |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>